The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into a close call between a Delta Air Lines plane and a T-38 Air Force jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Delta Air Lines Flight 2983, en route to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), took off from DCA at 3:15 p.m. after departing the gate at 2:55 p.m. The flight carried 131 passengers, along with two pilots and three flight attendants. At the same time, four US Air Force T-38 Talon jets were approaching Arlington National Cemetery for a scheduled flyover.
The FAA said there was “a loss of separation” between the Delta plane and another aircraft shortly after liftoff. Onboard systems in the Delta plane alerted them to an approaching jet, and air traffic controllers quickly issued corrective orders to the two aircraft, averting a catastrophe.
How the Crash Was Averted
Delta officials stated that the flight crew responded as per standard procedures, following guidance from the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS). A Delta spokesperson reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to safety, stating, “Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people. That’s why the flight crew followed procedures to maneuver the aircraft as instructed.”
This near miss follows a tragic January collision at the same airport, which claimed 67 lives.
